How Avoidant Are Math-Anxious People? Let Me Count the Ways. Relationships Between Math Anxiety and Avoidant Personality Temperaments (Poster 1)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Sunday 9:50 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Educational Psychology Poster Session

Abstract

Math anxiety (MA) relates to avoidance behaviors. This study examined the relationship between math anxiety (MA) and avoidant personality temperaments—behavioral inhibition (BI), harm avoidance (HA), and experiential avoidance (EA)—using multiple regression models in a sample of 150 undergraduates. While females reported higher MA and HA, gender did not significantly influence the relationships between the temperaments and MA. MA showed a moderate to strong association with EA, but only the Learning Math Anxiety subscale was strongly connected with BI and HA. Experiential Anxiety was the most predictive of MA and its subscales. The findings indicate that individuals with math anxiety might exhibit general avoidance behaviors unrelated to math, highlighting avenues for further research into these dynamics.

Authors

• Mohammad Jahanaray, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Todd Allen, University of Northern Colorado

• Molly Jameson, University of Northern Colorado